论网络平台格式条款单方变更权的法律规制

On the Legal Regulation of the Right to Unilateral Change of Standard Clause on Online Platforms

摘要: 网络平台单方变更合同具有普遍性和频繁性。由于平台服务协议的变更性、非显著性、免费性等特点，既有格式条款规制制度难以发挥效用。《电子商务法》确立了平台单方合同变更权与相对方单方合同解除权，网络平台方的单方解除权应认定为约定单方解除权。但网络平台格式条款的单方变更权缺乏抑制，需要分类分级设置网络平台的特殊提示义务，规定用户合同解除权的适用条件及法律后果，提供合理退出机制，对变更条款设立解释规则，以及制定变更条款负面清单制度，以公平原则兜底，以实现对网络平台单方变更权的法律规制。

Abstract: The unilateral modification of contracts by online platforms is common and frequent. Due to the characteristics of platform service agreements, such as their mutability, non-prominence, and free-of-charge nature, the existing regulatory system for standard clause fails to exert its effectiveness. The Electronic Commerce Law establishes the right of online platforms to unilaterally modify contracts and the right of counterparties to unilaterally terminate contracts. The unilateral termination right of online platforms should be recognized as an agreed-upon unilateral termination right. However, the unilateral modification right of online platform standard clause lacks restraint. It is necessary to establish special notification obligations for online platforms based on classification and grading, stipulate the applicable conditions and legal consequences of users’ contract termination rights, provide reasonable exit mechanisms, establish interpretation rules for modified terms, and formulate a negative list system for modified terms. These measures should be underpinned by the principle of fairness to achieve legal regulation of online platforms’ unilateral modification rights.